You have a point about Bujin Gaim.
It would have made the story flow better if it had been about Kouta trying to help Ieyasu unite the country, and stop the other Riders from fighting.
So I watched it again..... And I still think it's terrible -_-
My updated 2 cents:
Pros:
-There were legitimate good story points for Wizard.
-I liked the setting they used for Gaim's story... Even though it's probably another reused Toei set.
-If you ignore how stupid the rider armor was, it's a nice reference to the older series.
-That Zangetsu-Fourze thing was pretty funny.
The only thing good about this movie is the dancing and Mai being in a cute outfit. Other than that, this movie is terrible. It's amateur at best, possibly creates continuity problems due to minor stuff such as Kouta basically either lost the Suika Lockseed and Dandeliner Lock Vehicle, or he had them destroyed because of his recklessness and the fact that Zangetsu possibly missed Mitchy two times because he was too busy focused on Baron and focused on Kouta. Though if you let these all go, I suppose it fits continuity perfectly. I hate this movie. Not even Zangetsu Fourze Arms could make the movie feel better.
Meh, it's a turn your brain off film. I mean, for me, Zangetsu Fourze Arms was worth the price of admission. Which is why I'm glad that I didn't pay for this, as I sincerely pity anyone who DID pay for it.
I do say it's probably AU, as where the heck was that Arena before? I mean, if it's canon, why don't we get to see at least one fight there. Although, maybe that's just my personal like for gladiatorial-style fights talking.
The Good
-Wizard's chapter. A final heartfelt farewell to Koyomi
-Great action scenes
-The storyline set-up for the Bujin Gaim's World
-The Legend Rider Arms henshin sequence
-Takatora almost doing Fourze's "Uchuu KITAAA!!!" pose, but stopped. :laugh:
-Koyomi actually being the White Wizard for this movie
The Bad
-Nitou never fully explained how he found and recaptured Kimera
-Kouta not doing the Gaim Wizard Arms finisher
-Kurokage and Gridon barely do anything in the film
-No mentioned of any of the Showa-era Bujin Riders
-The villain in Wizard's chapter wasn't really threatening
-The fate of the Blood Orange Lockseed
Overall, it was okay. Just not as epic as Movie Taisen MEGAMAX, Super Hero Taisen Z, or Movie Taisen Ultimatum.
I don't see how this movie requires one to "turn off your brain" any more than usual. The main issue is that Bujin Gaim is underveloped for a main villain, but the movie had clear character arcs for Kouta and Kaito, and managed to add Wizard into the main story itself, rather than just the final battle. The Bujins either were pretty much only visuals for exposition scenes (pre-W Riders), or had actual, even if small, roles (W and on).
The Takatora stuff was dumb too, but it's rather minor stuff, and only in a continuity way, considering how in the movie itself they never mention that Micchy and Takatora are siblings.
This movie had nothing aside from Kamen Rider though...
I do say it's probably AU, as where the heck was that Arena before? I mean, if it's canon, why don't we get to see at least one fight there. Although, maybe that's just my personal like for gladiatorial-style fights talking.
I liked this movie surprisngly a lot more than I thought I would, as far as the seconf half is concerned. Reminded me of the days when Gaim knew what it was doing and was coherent and not ths fanfic-y pseudo-intellectual pretentiousness. Got kinda boring at the last 20 or so minutes, but what can you do.
Also, having Haruto himself be the last person he saves is thematic brilliance.